"There are a lot of rumors going around that WWE may introduce a third brand, one that would be more "hardcore" and have an ECW-like formula. WWE owns the ECW name so they could use that name if they wanted. The thinking is that they could air shows for the new brand late at night. This was actually the idea that WWE had back with Shotgun Saturday Night, but that never panned out.

Of course, doing this would contradict the new "safer mat wrestling" formula that management is trying to establish with RAW and Smackdown. At the same time, WWE has more timeslots at their fingertips if needed and they basically have to do something very different for any new show to work."

There are two brands. One of sports entertainment, one of more pro wrestling. No need to start another one just for another division. Though i could see making heat more of an EXTREME show. The same way velocity is pretty much the cruiserweight divisions show.

A WWF/E ECW brand has bad idea written all over it. First, ECW's been dead 3 years. Can people let it lie and just remember when it helped change wrestling. What's next, a Smoky Mountain brand?Next, they have enough trouble maintaining focus on 2 brands. A 3rd would just dilute the product.And, if it is to be taken seriously as a brand, it would need PPV's, which would further dilute the PPV market. And, if it doesn't have PPV's, your telling the wrestlers on the show that they won't be making any PPV bonuses.

Proud to have been a participant in the most spectacularly stupid group efforts on this forum.

Originally posted by redsoxnationAnd, if it is to be taken seriously as a brand, it would need PPV's, which would further dilute the PPV market. And, if it doesn't have PPV's, your telling the wrestlers on the show that they won't be making any PPV bonuses.

I think one of the reasons given by the WWE in their FAQ blurb for the original split was that they hoped to go up to about 14-16 ppv's long term, so its not as though they seem to reckon the market's saturated just yet.

I always thought Heat should showcase guys fighting over the Euro and Hardcore titles which were defended before the PPV. It's be great for guys like Stevie Richards, Lance Storm, and Spike Dudley. As well as not quite ready for prime timers like Rodney Mack, John Hiendrich and Orlando Jordon. It could be the first step out of OVW.

Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoI always thought Heat should showcase guys fighting over the Euro and Hardcore titles which were defended before the PPV. It's be great for guys like Stevie Richards, Lance Storm, and Spike Dudley. As well as not quite ready for prime timers like Rodney Mack, John Hiendrich and Orlando Jordon. It could be the first step out of OVW.

good ideAbut i got to tell u i`m pumped over this rumer i would love to see ecw style wreslting back. That is if its pre ECW style no crappy wwe ideas in it.

Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoI always thought Heat should showcase guys fighting over the Euro and Hardcore titles which were defended before the PPV. It's be great for guys like Stevie Richards, Lance Storm, and Spike Dudley. As well as not quite ready for prime timers like Rodney Mack, John Hiendrich and Orlando Jordon. It could be the first step out of OVW.

good ideAbut i got to tell u i`m pumped over this rumer i would love to see ecw style wreslting back. That is if its pre ECW style no crappy wwe ideas in it.

(edited by Planavoy on 3.2.04 0004)

Well, you'd have the WWE writers writing it, if that's what you mean by "no crappy WWE ideas".

Well, as much as I hate "fantasy booking" I wish, they would do the following, IF were to introduce a 3rd brand.

1, Make it all cruisers and young wrestlers. That way, they can learn ring techniques, work on thier matches, and promos, and hopefully, be actually READY for some prime time slots if/when they become open.

2. Have it film in one spot, ala the old RAW. I am sure the Manhattan center is available. (or did they tear that place down?) Less travel time for the youngsters would give them a chance to work on thier craft.

3. If not filmed for broadcast, then have a twice a month PPV, for about 10 bucks each, like TNA does, and have it compete with them on wednesdays. Hopefully the direct competition would make both shows better.

4. Have Paul Heyman or Jim Cornette in charge, simply because they both can make stars, and both know how to book great angles.

Originally posted by StaggerLee2. Have it film in one spot, ala the old RAW. I am sure the Manhattan center is available. (or did they tear that place down?) Less travel time for the youngsters would give them a chance to work on thier craft.

If they were going to do something like this, it might be a good use for the building formerly known as WWF New York. I'm not sure what the layout is there, but surely there's room to setup a ring and seating.

I was thinking about this...they could get rid of OVW and just use this new fed as a training ground. Have some vets on it (Dreamer, Richards) and some underused talent (O'Haire, London). Bring back the Hardcore Title and make it the main belt on this show. You could give it the Heat timeslot or put it on another night at like 11. It should be more raunchy then Smackdown and RAW and feature a more hardcore, X-Division type of wrestling. Also let Heyman write the whole show, no McMahon or WWE involvment at all. This will be a sure-fire way to lure in the smarks. This might actually be a good idea.

Lets say that they do go thru with another brand, why not use an existing company that is already extreme and has a decent fan base? CZW. They already have great editing, they tour pretty regularly in the northeast, and are on the UK wrestling channel and have an international deal. Why not make them the WWE's new developmental, and use afterburns slot for that show. Then use the other syndicated show for OVW. That way WWE will have four successful brands, will only own two, and will eventually be able to do a true superbowl of wrestling type gimmick. PS: Vince doesnt own OVW but is just very closly associated, thats why i say they would only own two of them.

This is probably old news, but I'm new here, so I'll throw my hat in the ring. I hope the WWE doesn't split off a third brand. I don't like the dual brand split as it is now. Obviously, the current cross-brand angles like the Goldberg/Lesnar angle and the Kane/Taker angle are evidence that splitting the roster limits program/story-line potential. I can only hope that these cross-brand angles lead to some kind of invasion scenario that eventually leads to the reunification of the brands.

I know this would never happen, but I think if the WWE could start making an hour show for the ladies. As it is now, they get one segment on RAW and thats usually a tag or six man match to get as many in there and the only storyline involves the champion and the challenger while the other girls wait around for their turn to be challenger. I am not counting the girls trying to be wrestlers girlfriends as storylines for the ladies (thought the current one with Jericho/Trish is good).

Like, right now, its just Molly and Victoria on TV in different forms -- which is okay seeing as Victoria is my favorite diva. But what about Trish, Lita, Ivory, Jazz? I know they have several other women on the roster that never come out that could be used. Remember when Jackie (not Miss Jackie) was a badass that would beat up male wrestlers? And NO I am NOT advocating the return of Mae Young or Moolah to the ring.

I just the girls could fill up an hour long WRESTLING show. Throw some TNA in there too, but make sure its about wrestling. Hell, let Fit run it. THe girls seem to like him and he's done well training them.

Originally posted by minextooI know this would never happen, but I think if the WWE could start making an hour show for the ladies. As it is now, they get one segment on RAW and thats usually a tag or six man match to get as many in there and the only storyline involves the champion and the challenger while the other girls wait around for their turn to be challenger. I am not counting the girls trying to be wrestlers girlfriends as storylines for the ladies (thought the current one with Jericho/Trish is good).

Like, right now, its just Molly and Victoria on TV in different forms -- which is okay seeing as Victoria is my favorite diva. But what about Trish, Lita, Ivory, Jazz? I know they have several other women on the roster that never come out that could be used. Remember when Jackie (not Miss Jackie) was a badass that would beat up male wrestlers? And NO I am NOT advocating the return of Mae Young or Moolah to the ring.

I just the girls could fill up an hour long WRESTLING show. Throw some TNA in there too, but make sure its about wrestling. Hell, let Fit run it. THe girls seem to like him and he's done well training them.

That would B-O-M-B. The average male wrestling fan is only interested in t&a, not in seeing the women wrestle. That goes double for Vince. Not to mention having to hire a bunch more women wrestlers. I can't see them ever doing this, and if they did, it'd make the XFL look like a smahing success.

Women wrestling is far more over in other parts of the world, particularly in Japan, where they enjoy legitimate careers as werstlers and not just as eye-candy. A few of the WWE gals bring out the goods, and I respect Trish for trying to be a real wrestler as much as she is a diva. Still, I don't think an entire forum for women's wrestling could get over in North America, unless it's in mud.

Originally posted by Spaceman SpiffThat would B-O-M-B. The average male wrestling fan is only interested in t&a, not in seeing the women wrestle.

The average male wrestling fan has never really seen women wrestling.

It still wouldn't work, because Vince has conditioned WWE fans to expect t&a. You've got Lawler creaming his pants whenever a woman's match is on, as well as fans chanting "we want puppies" during normal women's matches. You'd have to totally re-train the fans to accept women's wrestling as legit, and even then I don't think the majority of WWE fans would get into it.

All that is besides the point, because Vince would never put on a "Japanese-style" women's show.